Hundreds of communities across Alberta are now feeling liberated from the costs of recycling.

As of this week, Alberta's new extended producer responsibility programs are shifting the financial burden of recycling from municipalities to the companies that produce evaporated milk cans, cardboard cracker boxes and other recyclables.

The aim is to encourage innovation among producers of recyclable items while keeping more waste out of landfills.

The City of Edmonton expects to save $24 million this yea…